EVA Air, UA to launch code-share partnership

2012/08/08 18:53:43

Taipei, Aug. 8 (CNA) EVA Airways, one of Taiwan's leading international carriers, said Wednesday it will begin a code-share partnership with United Airlines (UA) Aug. 11 to improve services to EVA passengers arriving on the U.S. west coast.

In the initial stage, the agreement will allow EVA Air's incoming passengers in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle to take UA's domestic flights to Houston and Cleveland under the same flight code, the Taiwanese carrier said. In addition, UA passengers will be able to fly EVA Air to Taipei, the airline said.

Currently, EVA Air operates 35 round-trip flights per week from Taipei to Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle. It also offers five round-trip flights per week from Taipei to New York.

The partnership with UA is part of EVA Air's efforts to prepare for membership next year in Star Alliance, the world's first and largest airline alliance, the Taiwanese carrier said.

As UA is one of Star Alliance's founding members, the code-share agreement with the U.S. carrier will pave the way for the establishment of business relationships with other members of the alliance, EVA Air said.

In addition to UA, Star Alliance includes Air Canada, US Airways, Air China, Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines and South African Airways.

Star Alliance, which currently has 27 members, is expected to expand its services to offer more than 22,000 daily flights to 1,345 destinations in 191 countries worldwide.

EVA Air has forecast a 20 percent increase in passenger numbers after it joins the alliance.